Organizations utilize Active Directory (AD) to connect users with network resources that they need to get their work done

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Organizations utilize Active Directory (AD) to connect users with network resources that they need to get their work done. There are different components within the Active Directory, and it is through the understanding of these components that an Active Directory can be designed, managed, and secured. When designing the Active Directory for a large organization that has offices and users throughout the world, there are different factors and requirements that need to be taken into consideration.

One of the first factors that need to be addressed is the forest and domain layout. Since the organization is large and complex, and has offices and users throughout the world, it is recommended that a single forest multi-domain model be implemented. With this model the root domain should act as the resource domain, which is the domain that hosts other critical infrastructure (Majumder, 2019). Although this is not the simplest approach, it is the most practical.

Other factors to consider include the use of dedicated domain controllers, and the utilization of the appropriate site topology. Domain controllers for the layout that was specified should be spread out across multiple regions, and should be run on dedicated servers. It is not recommended that additional roles be added to domain controllers, since it can negatively affect the servers performance, reduce security, and complicate the process of backing up or restoring the server (Posey, 2010). When it comes to the utilization of the appropriate site topology, the site topology should mirror the network topology. Larger networks will require multiple Active Directory sites, and it is important that site links mirror WAN connections, with each physical facility that is separated by a WAN link encompassing a separate Active Directory site (Posey, 2010).  

Given the organizational requirements within this scenario, the Active Directory is going to be consisting of multiple sites, and therefore it is recommended that each site has its own global catalog server. The global catalog allows for a domain controller to provide information on any object in the forest, and can be utilized to perform several functions that are important in a multi-domain forest environment (Olig, 2019). This will be beneficial when designing the Active Directory for the large organization, because the different Active Directory sites can be linked together.

Although Active Directory is designed to be flexible, it is recommended that major logistical changes be avoided. This is due to the possibility that Active Directory objects can be corrupted during the restructuring process (Posey, 2010). It is also recommended that a management plan and back-up policy be implemented, to maintain the integrity and security of the Active Directory database.

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There are many factors we must consider when building an Active Directory for an organization. First, we must find out how many forests are in the organization. To do this, we must identify the autonomy requirements for the company, then choose the appropriate forest design (Microsoft, 2021). There are many factors involved when selecting a layout. The Active Directory should fall in line with the company’s current network topology. We need to see if there are isolation limits, and everyone involved in the project must agree on a design. We also need to make sure that the layout is affordable and that the cost-benefit is in our favor. Finally, we can decide if the Active Directory will cover the whole company or just a specific part.